Get to know athletic trainers Melissa Stamper & Zachary Crothers

MELINDA MEI STAFF WRITER

A:

Q:What’s something you want students to know about your job?

Flexibility and patience – things are constantly changing. Whether it’s our schedules, the weather or different personalities we have to work with, having these two traits are a must for this profession.

Q:How did you find your interest in this job?

A:Q:I knew I always wanted to do healthcare & athletic training was a good option. After I was accepted in Grand Valley State’s Athletic Training Program, I discovered that I loved working with high school athletes.

What’s a cool success story you experienced as an athletic trainer at Huron?

Q:What’s your favorite thing about being an athletic trainer?

Have you lived or worked anywhere else besides here?

A:I have worked in Shreveport, Louisiana at Centenary College of Louisiana as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. I worked with all the sports there during the transition from a NCAA Division 1 school to a NCAA Division III school. I have also lived in Alabama. I worked for a physical therapy company as an Outreach Athletic Trainer covering five rural high schools and four industrial locations. I worked as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Siena Heights University as well.

How did you find your interest in this job?

A:I was an injured kid in high school. I knew I wanted to work in athletics, administration and help people, and being an athletic trainer can check all three.

A:Working with the counseling department, we teamed up with the Food Gatherers and developed the food pantry here at Huron. The pantry has different locations in the school with one of the locations in the indoor athletic training room.

A:Q:One of the coolest things about my job is being able to help an athlete get back to playing the sport they love after sustaining an injury. Working with high school athletes is the best & knowing that I can make a small difference in their life makes my job worth it.

Q:Have you lived/ worked anywhere else besides here? A:I grew up in Westland and graduated from Livonia Franklin High School and then Grand Valley State University. I have worked at two other high schools before Huron – Dearborn & South Lyon East. I now live in Canton with my husband, three cats, lizard and frog.

Q:Q:Tell me about some things you like to do in your free time. A:I love to garden and grow cut flowers. I also volunteer with a local animal rescue group.